Cherished Memories of Africa — Page 186
168 Governor Lamin Badji Shaheed He was born in village Snjan near Bignona in Ziguinchor region. He belonged to a well-known Senegalese tribe - Jula; most of the population in this region is from this tribe. Education and Early Life : He received his primary education in his village. Later on he was educated in the educational institutes in Bignona. He started his practical life with teaching and served as a teacher in various schools. Afterwards he got interested in politics and joined Senegal’s opposition party. He gained prominence in his party because of his outstanding services, excellent performance and profound interest and was, therefore, awarded the ticket as the party’s candidate from Bignona in the general elections for national assembly. As a novice in the political field and that too from the opposition party he was pitched against a polished and influential politician of the ruling party. However, in the election despite inexperience and against heavy odds he was blessed with success by the Grace of Allah. Thus he entered the assembly as representative of his people for the first time. He continued to represent his region successfully as member of the assembly for the rest of his life. Appointment as Governor : In the general elections of 2007 and the opposition party came to power with overwhelming majority. The new president, Abdoulaye Wade in his new government, appointed Omer Lamin Badjie as the governor of Ziguinchor region. Honour of being the first Ahmadi Member of Parliament in Senegal : Lamin Badjie’s ancestral village is located in the Foni